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Provisional Reality

Although we possess human personality and the depraved, fallen, human nature, we are to follow Christ’s example; God is to be our source of life, not the “self.” Christ provided for the nullification of self through our co crucifixion with Him.

Romans 6, in its entirety, explains the principle of our baptism into the death of Jesus Christ. As we know, the old sin nature, self-life, and natural disposition cannot be eradicated – the natural man cannot be made righteous. The only provision for dealing with the old man is the positional death of self on calvary’s cross. This fact must be reckoned upon and believed in order for self to be rendered dead. Romans 6:3 says, “Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” Colossians 3:3 says, “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”

Jesus Christ has provided the means for us to turn from the life of fulfilling our desires (through His finished work and our faith in reckoning upon this positional truth), to being likewise transformed in our daily experience. It is only when we turn from self that we are able to turn our eyes upon Jesus Christ – in the direction and purpose for which we were created.

(1929-2008) pastored and established thriving churches and Bible colleges in Maine, Massachusetts, and Maryland. He also helped pioneer Christian talk radio through Telephone Time and the Grace Hour and authored nearly 500 books and booklets. See also the Carl H Stevens Memorial Site